<p>Epiphany raises very good points about imbalance. Not so much about private/public but in terms of size and comparative quality. If a student would prefer to go to a small college (approximately 2500 or fewer students) or a mid-sized research university and still wants to enjoy CA weather, there are not many options in CA. The huge number of such institutions on the East Coast, however, makes it much more difficult to fund state university systems of the caliber of the CA state university system.</p>
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I went to the Info Session at Pomona two years ago and asked the admission officer why there were so few international students. I was told that international students require too much financial aid because they have almost 100% need. Obviously Pomona is utilizing enrollment management techniques. They would rather give 8 scholarships for $5,000, which will generate $280,000 in tuition income from those students (8 x $35,000), than give one full ride to a totally destitute foreigner."
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<p>Damaris, I find your conclusions particularly offensive. It is not the first time that FOREIGN students complain about the lack of need-blind aid or full scholarships in the United States. However, the record should be set straight: financial aid for foreigners IS an act of absolute generosity and not an obligation. It is also an aberration that foreign students should even be entitled to it as its source is almost entirely from private sources. </p>
<p>As far as the comment about destitute foreigners, the United States colleges carry much more than their share in providing assistance to foreign students, especially since they tend to exhibit mostly nebulous financial records. This aid could be viewed to come at the expense of local students, and we all know that most domestic families complain about the lack of aid. </p>
<p>It is one thing to open the doors to foreign students, and it is quite another to HAVE to offer equal of better financial aid to the same group. Again, even if a school offers ONE single financial package to a foreigner, it should be COMMENDED and not criticized, especially in the cynical manner you selected to do. If cutting off ungrateful people is a by-product of enrollment management techniques, I'd say: use more of them, a lot more!</p>
<p>Xiggi notes, "It is one thing to open the doors to foreign students, and it is quite another to HAVE to offer equal of better financial aid to the same group. Again, even if a school offers ONE single financial package to a foreigner, it should be COMMENDED and not criticized, especially in the cynical manner you selected to do. If cutting off ungrateful people is a by-product of enrollment management techniques, I'd say: use more of them, a lot more!"</p>
<p>Response: Exactly</p>